Around half a million writers are expected to register for National Novel Writing Month in November. What is this challenge, more often known as NaNoWriMo? It’s a wild and fun (free) writers’ support group online where you sign up to write through the 30 days of November to reach 50,000 words. They’ve made a number of […]
Kristi Holl
What Am I Called to Write?
Do you have a writing gift? Do you have a knack with words? Do you feel an inner desire to write? Even if you don’t use the word with friends or family, do you feel called to write? Most of you who read this blog said a resounding “yes!” to those questions a long time ago. […]
Organization: Why Word Count Matters
[This article is reprinted by permission of the author. Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, “the Snowflake Guy,” publishes the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 6,200 readers. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.] […]
Voice: Being YOU Is More Than Enough
This weekend I want you to think deeply about a quote I’m going to share with you. It’s from a book I am reading for the third time. Only this time, I am actually doing the exercises in each chapter! It’s Les Edgerton’s Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing. Editors are always […]
Bringing Back the Accountability Challenge
Last spring I set up two 30-Day accountability challenges. Four groups of writers signed up for two different challenges: the Early Morning Writing Challenge and the Scheduled Writing Challenge (or both). Many asked to be notified if I ran the challenges again, so this is your notification! Time to Sign Up Life has been incredibly […]
Writers: Attitude Isn't Everything
I talk a lot about having a positive attitude about the writing life, but your attitude isn’t everything. There’s no doubt about the power of a positive outlook–I would be the first to say so. Dealing with your self-doubts and writing fears is critically important. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking it will substitute for […]
Toxic vs. Supportive Writing Friends
Not long ago, I blogged about how to be your own best writing friend. Sometimes that’s easier said than done because we’re not quite sure what that looks like. So, with that in mind, I want to chat today about the characteristics of toxic writing friends and supportive writing friends. This should help you to… […]
Attention, Writers! (It's a Choice)
If you’re traveling west, you’ll end up in California. Go East, and you might land in New York instead. The direction you choose determines your destination. But what makes you choose one direction over the other? For most people, it’s whatever grabs your attention. If warm beaches and surfing snag your attention, you’re more likely to […]
Does Fiction Teach?
“Don’t teach or preach–just tell a good story. Readers want to be entertained–not taught.” I’ve heard that statement many times over the years, at writing conferences and in articles for writers. I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t like (or read) preachy fiction, but good fiction with a message doesn’t have to preach, does […]
Be Your Own Best (Writing) Friend
Wish you could afford a writing coach to hold your hand and encourage you to write each day? Me too! But if that’s not in your budget right now, don’t despair. You can learn to be your own best writing friend. With Friends Like This… If a friend from your critique group told you “I just […]